Offshore licence from the CGA under the LOK framework
Curaçao Gaming Licence
The established, widely-banked offshore gaming licence — now issued directly by the Curaçao Gaming Authority under the new LOK framework. You trade a higher fee and real local substance for wider PSP and banking acceptance than most offshore licences. Live in 3–6 months; Vantegris runs the whole file.
What is the Curaçao gaming licence?
Curaçao has licensed online gaming since 1996, and for most of that time it ran on a master-and-sub-licence model, which has now ended. Under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (the LOK), the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) now issues licences directly — a separate B2C licence for operators and a B2B licence for suppliers whose services materially affect game outcomes or compliance.
The new regime is heavier than the old one: applicants must establish real local substance, meaning a Curaçao-registered company, a local registered office, at least one Curaçao-resident managing director (or local corporate management), a local key person and a dedicated compliance/MLRO function. A CGA notice of 23 January 2026 gives operators until 1 April 2027 to meet the Article 5.12 local-substance obligation. In exchange you get wide PSP, acquiring and banking acceptance. That trade-off is the whole reason established operators choose Curaçao over cheaper alternatives.
Why operators pick Curaçao
Curaçao is recognised by a wide range of PSPs, e-wallets and acquiring banks — the difference between reliable fiat card processing and constant declines.
A regime operators, partners and players have known for nearly three decades, now modernised under the LOK to align with international standards.
Casino, live dealer, sportsbook, poker, eSports and crypto gaming under a single B2C authorisation.
Crypto gaming and crypto payments are workable under the B2C licence with the right compliance in place.
The local company and substance you build for Curaçao become the foundation for banking, tax structuring and further licences.
Curaçao vs. Anjouan
| Criteria | Curaçao | Anjouan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | €47,450 | €17,828 |
| Timeline | 3–6 months | 4–8 weeks |
| Local company | Required | Not required |
| Resident director | Required (or local mgmt) | Not required |
| Compliance officer | Required | Recommended |
| PSP / banking acceptance | Wider than most offshore | Growing |
| Crypto payments | Permitted under CGA crypto rules | Widely used; no crypto rulebook |
| Best suited to | Established B2C and fiat processing | Startups, crypto and speed |
Who the Curaçao gaming licence suits
Curaçao gaming licence requirements
How to get a Curaçao gaming licence
- Company & substance Incorporate the Curaçao company, set up the registered office, local management and compliance function. 2–4 weeks
- Compliance build Prepare AML/KYC, responsible-gaming and data-protection policies plus the business plan to CGA format. 2–3 weeks
- Technical & RNG Assemble technical documentation and RNG certification (issued or in-process). 1–2 weeks
- CGA application & review Submit the complete package; the CGA runs direct due diligence and technical review, typically 6–10 weeks. 6–10 weeks
Not sure Curaçao is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Curaçao or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
How much does a Curaçao gaming licence cost?
- Curaçao company incorporation
- Full CGA application package
- AML/KYC & responsible-gaming policies
- Regulator liaison through review
- Everything in Licence
- Local substance (office, management, key person)
- Compliance / MLRO setup
- RNG & technical documentation support
- Everything in Turnkey
- Banking & PSP introductions
- Corporate accounts setup
- Tax-structuring around the licence
Year-one all-in is materially higher than the headline fee once the local company, substance, compliance function and banking are in place — we quote precisely for your case.
Compliance obligations in Curaçao
Technical & IT standards in Curaçao
After you go live in Curaçao
Which markets a Curaçao licence reaches
Curaçao gives broad international reach (Asia, parts of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe; Brazil is closed to offshore operators by Medida Provisória 1,394), but it is not market access to regulated countries. Targeting Dutch residents is expressly prohibited (mandatory geo-blocking of .nl traffic), and operators must block the USA, UK, France and other regulated or sanctioned territories.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Curaçao gaming licence FAQ
How much does a Curaçao gaming licence cost in 2026?
Under the LOK framework a B2C licence carries €47,450 a year in two invoices (a €24,490 licence fee to the National Treasury and a €22,960 supervisory fee to the Curaçao Gaming Authority), plus a one-time €4,592 application fee paid to the CGA before it processes the file. Year-one all-in is higher once the local company, substance, compliance function and banking are built — we quote precisely per case. (Older figures around $17,500 refer to the pre-reform model and are out of date.)
What changed with the Curaçao reform?
The historic master-and-sub-licence model was replaced. Under the LOK, the Curaçao Gaming Authority now issues licences directly (a B2C licence for operators and a B2B licence for suppliers) with real local-substance requirements and stricter due diligence.
How long does a Curaçao licence take?
Plan for 3–6 months with a clean file: a few weeks to build the company, substance and compliance documentation, then a CGA review of roughly 6–10 weeks. A well-prepared application moves faster than a thin one.
How does Curaçao compare to Anjouan?
Curaçao costs more (€47,450 vs €17,828), takes longer (3–6 months vs 4–8 weeks) and now requires local substance, but carries far broader PSP and banking acceptance. Anjouan is faster, cheaper and needs no local presence. Established operators who need reliable fiat processing choose Curaçao; startups and crypto-first operators often start on Anjouan.
Do I need a local company and director in Curaçao?
Yes. The LOK regime requires a Curaçao-registered company, a local registered office, at least one Curaçao-resident managing director (or local corporate management), a local key person and a dedicated compliance/MLRO function.
Is the Curaçao licence accepted by payment processors?
Yes. It has wider acceptance among PSPs, e-wallets and acquiring banks than most offshore gaming licences, which is precisely why operators tolerate its higher cost and substance requirements.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team. Last updated September 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
- Curaçao Gaming Authority — License Fees under the LOK (archived copy, v2.0, 15 Oct 2025)
- Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) — official regulator
- CGA — Postponement of Local Substance Requirement under LOK (Article 5.12), 23 January 2026
- Brazil: Medida Provisória nº 1.394/2026, art. 1 (fixed-odds betting banned, including by operators based abroad)
Start your Curaçao file.
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